Recliner mechanism

ABSTRACT

An adjusting device for a vehicle component includes a first fitting part arranged on an axis of rotation and a second fitting part arranged on the axis of rotation. The relative position of the first fitting part and the second fitting part with respect to each other is adjustable. The adjusting device also includes an eccentric arranged on and rotatable about the axis of rotation and a plurality of first rotating members arranged concentrically about the eccentric. The first rotating members are configured to roll along the first fitting part. The adjusting device further includes a plurality of subcomponents that each include a first fitting-part element of the first fitting part and a second fitting-part element of the second fitting part. The plurality of subcomponents are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry that extends at right angles to the axis of rotation.

The invention relates to an adjusting device for a vehicle component, inparticular for a motor vehicle seat, which adjusting device comprises afirst fitting part, a second fitting part and an eccentric, which areeach arranged on a common axis of rotation, wherein, in an operatingmode, the axis of rotation rotates and the eccentric can be rotatedabout the axis of rotation, wherein at least one first rotating means isarranged concentrically about the eccentric, wherein the first rotatingmeans can roll along the first fitting part, and wherein the relativeposition of the two fitting parts with respect to each other can beadjusted. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method forproducing the adjusting device.

In order to continuously adjust the inclination of components, inparticular to adjust the backrest of a vehicle seat relative to the seatpart, use is frequently made of wobbling adjusters, since they arecontinuously in engagement, ensure a high transmission ratio, areself-locking and nevertheless can rotate relatively easily. Thecomponents of the inclination adjusters are predominantly produced byfine blanking and similar processes which are complicated and expensivein production terms, since they have to meet exacting requirements withregard to strength, and therefore the system-induced play of theinclination adjusters is as small as possible, in particular in order toavoid rattling noises. Furthermore, use is generally made of inclinationadjusters, the already exacting tolerances of which are further reducedand/or compensated for by suitable measures in order to reduce the play.This generally requires a plurality of complicated additionalcomponents. Due to the complicated shapes, use is often made in theprocessing state of initially softer materials which subsequently haveto be hardened, and therefore the manufacturing of the inclinationadjusters is expensive.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an adjusting devicefor a vehicle component, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, inwhich the system-induced play is reduced and/or compensated for withless complicated means, and/or which requires less exactingmanufacturing tolerances, and/or which requires a lesser degree ofstrength and/or which can be produced rapidly, simply andcost-effectively.

The object is achieved with an adjusting device with the features asclaimed in patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments areindicated in the subclaims.

An adjusting device for a vehicle component, in particular for a motorvehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part, a second fitting part, andan eccentric, which are each arranged on a common axis of rotation,wherein, in an operating mode, the axis of rotation rotates, wherein theeccentric is rotated about the axis of rotation, and wherein therelative position of the two fitting parts with respect to each other isadjusted. The eccentric can preferably comprise a first eccentricelement and a second eccentric element, wherein each eccentric elementcomprises at least one first rotating means which is arrangedconcentrically about the eccentric, wherein the second fitting part isformed from two second fitting-part elements and the first fitting partis formed from two first fitting-part elements, and wherein, in theoperating mode, the first rotating means rolls along the first fittingpart.

The adjusting device has a plurality of subcomponents which eachcomprise a first fitting-part element, a second fitting-part element andoptionally an eccentric element, which are each arranged on a commonaxis of rotation, with the subcomponents being arranged essentiallymirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry which extendsessentially at right angles to the axis of rotation in the center of theadjusting device. The division according to the invention of the secondfitting part into two second fitting-part elements and of the firstfitting part into two first fitting-part elements, and optionally of theeccentric into a first and a second eccentric element result in thefitting-part elements and/or the eccentric elements having a lesscomplicated contour in comparison to the contour of the fitting partsand of the eccentric. This enables less soft materials to be processed,and therefore the materials no longer have to be hardened afterprocessing. The eccentric elements and the fitting-part elements cantherefore be manufactured more cost-effectively and rapidly.

Owing to the essentially mirror-symmetrical arrangement, the shape ofthe second fitting-part elements, of the first fitting-part elements andof the rotating means is essentially identical. The division of thefitting parts and the high number of rotating means therefore do notlead to an increased diversity of components but rather merely to highpiece numbers, and therefore the additional costs because of the highnumber of components are compensated for by the more cost-effectivemanufacturing and because it is not necessary to harden the material.The mirror-symmetrical arrangement can be fitted simply, optionallyautomatically and therefore cost-effectively.

The essentially symmetrical arrangement of the adjusting device enablesthe force flux to be divided essentially symmetrically with respect tothe plane of symmetry, and therefore there is lower individual loadingof the subcomponents. Less hard materials or less thick materials cantherefore be used, and therefore the adjusting device is lighter,requires less space and hardening of the material does not have to takeplace. In addition, material which is more cost-effective can optionallybe used. The sub-components can therefore be produced morecost-effectively.

A person skilled in the art will understand that the first fitting-partelements can also be designed as a single part. Similarly, when there isa single-part eccentric, the first rotating means can be designed as asingle part. In a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, thefirst rotating means can be arranged on the second fitting parts in arotationally fixed manner and can roll along the first fitting parts.The first rotating means preferably also roll along the second fittingparts. Particularly preferably, each subcomponent has a second rotatingmeans, with one first rotating means per subcomponent being arranged onthe eccentric or optionally on the eccentric element and, in theparticularly preferred embodiment, additionally one second rotatingmeans being arranged per subcomponent, said rotating means beingarranged at right angles to the axis of rotation and concentricallyabout the eccentric or the eccentric elements. In the operating mode,the first fitting-part elements can be adjusted relative to the secondfitting-part elements by rotation of the eccentric or of the eccentricelements about the axis of rotation, with the first rotating means ofthe subcomponents each rolling along the first fitting-part element andpreferably the second rotating means of the subcomponents rolling alongthe second fitting-part element of the same subcomponent.

The eccentric elements are preferably offset with respect to each otherby an angle about the axis of rotation, the angle essentially being afraction of 360°, and the divisor corresponding to the number ofsubcomponents or of the fitting parts to be adjusted.

The division according to the invention of the fitting parts andpreferably of the eccentric into fitting-part elements and eccentricelements permits essentially any desired number of subcomponentsarranged on the axis of rotation and therefore connected one behindanother, with the relative position of the fitting-part elements of thesubcomponents being at least partially adjustable with respect to eachother. Since the number of components increases with an increasingnumber of subcomponents, the outlay on manufacturing also increases, andtherefore the number of subcomponents or the number of fitting partswhich can be adjusted relative to one another is limited due to theoutlay. A person skilled in the art will understand that the arrangementof the eccentric elements at an angle with respect to each other that isa fraction of 360° is a particularly advantageous embodiment of theinvention, in which the forces occurring in the subcomponentsadvantageously at least partially cancel one another out. Embodimentsare also possible, in which the angle is not a fraction of 360° and/orin which the divisor does not correspond to the number of fitting partsto be adjusted.

Particularly preferably, the adjusting device has precisely one firstsubcomponent and precisely one second subcomponent, the first fittingpart of which or the first fitting-part elements of which are adjustablerelative to the second fitting-part elements. In this embodiment, thefraction is the number 2 and the angle about which the eccentricelements can advantageously be offset with respect to each other aboutthe axis of rotation is 180°. The eccentric elements may also not beoffset with respect to each other or the eccentric may be designed as asingle part.

For example, one adjusting device according to the invention is arrangedper side of a vehicle seat, with, for example, the first fitting partbeing connected fixedly to a seat surface structure and the secondfitting part being connected fixedly to a backrest structure. It isconceivable for different embodiments of the adjusting device accordingto the invention to be arranged on the two sides of the vehicle seat. Byincreasing the number of subcomponents, it is possible, for example, toadvantageously increase the force which can be transmitted by theadjusting device according to the invention. For example, a greaternumber, for example twice the number, of subcomponents can be providedon a side of a vehicle seat on which a seatbelt is fastened. The greaterdemand imposed on the adjusting device by the additional load which istransmitted, for example, in an accident situation via the seatbelt canadvantageously be taken into account by this modular construction of theadjusting device according to the invention.

Preferably, a center axis running through the first center point of thefirst eccentric element and the second center point of the secondeccentric element intersects the axis of rotation. The first and thesecond eccentric elements are therefore adjusted about the axis ofrotation essentially by 180° with respect to each other such that theyare arranged essentially point-symmetrically with respect to theintersecting point of the center axis with the axis of rotation. Aperson skilled in the art will understand that, in this embodiment, thenumber of fitting parts to be adjusted is an even number and, inparticular, also comprises the adjustment of precisely two fitting partsrelative to each other. Since the eccentric elements are arrangedessentially symmetrically to each other, the shape of the eccentricelements is essentially identical, and therefore the number of differentcomponents is not increased by the division of the eccentric intoeccentric elements, and, by contrast, there are high piece numbers ofthe eccentric elements.

The eccentric elements are preferably clamped in relation to each otherby a dynamic means, particularly preferably by means of a spring. Thedynamic means at least partially absorbs and/or compensates for theforces acting between the subcomponents and/or eccentric elements duringrotation of the axis of rotation, and therefore there is essentially noinadvertent change of the angle about which the eccentric elements areoffset with respect to each other. Since the eccentric elements arearranged directly next to each other on the axis of rotation, they canbe clamped in relation to each other in a particularly simple andeffective manner. In the case of a plurality of rotating means persubcomponent, the clamping is particularly advantageous in order to keepall of the rotating means in engagement with the respective fittingparts. This very effectively avoids, for example, the adjusting deviceemitting annoying rattling noises.

In a preferred embodiment, the eccentric comprises a first eccentricelement and a second eccentric element which are arranged next to eachother on the axis of rotation and preferably bear against each other.Together with the dynamic means, they form a rotating body, with a firstrotating means which rolls in each case along the first fitting part,and preferably a second rotating means which rolls in each case alongthe second fitting part, which rotating means are arranged at rightangles to the axis of rotation and concentrically about the eccentricelements, being arranged on each eccentric element, and with, in anoperating mode, by rotation of the rotating body about the axis ofrotation, the first fitting part can be adjusted relative to the secondfitting part, with the rotating body revolving the axis of rotationessentially concentrically. The person skilled in the art willunderstand that, in the case of an adjusting device with more than twosubcomponents, the rotating body is formed by the total number ofeccentric elements.

According to the invention, the rotating body revolves the axis ofrotation essentially concentrically. The center point of the rotatingbody is therefore situated essentially on the axis of rotation in theoperating mode. Since the eccentric elements are connected to the axisof rotation and the eccentricity of the eccentric elements with regardto the axis of rotation is essentially always identical, their relativeposition with respect to each other and to the axis of rotation isessentially determined by the dynamic means by means of which theeccentric elements are clamped in relation to each other.

The adjusting device preferably has a shaft which forms the axis ofrotation. The play between the eccentric elements and the shaft makes itpossible for the dynamic means to rotate the eccentric elements inrelation to each other. No further complicated components for reducingthe play are required.

In the case of an adjusting device with an even number of fittings to beadjusted with respect to one another and, in particular, with preciselytwo subcomponents, the rotating body has a maximum dimension, whichessentially corresponds to a maximum inside diameter of a fitting partor of a fitting-part element, along its center axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the second fitting-part elements each have aplurality of second fitting-part intermediate elements, particularlypreferably at least two, which are arranged essentially parallel to oneanother. As a result, the contour of the second fitting-partintermediate elements is also further simplified in comparison to thefirst fitting-part elements and the production of the secondfitting-part intermediate elements can therefore be carried out moreeasily and, in particular, without a final hardening process.Preferably, in each case one fitting-part intermediate element of thefirst subcomponent bears against one of the two first fitting-partelements, and in each case one fitting-part intermediate element of thesecond subcomponent bears against the other of the two firstfitting-part elements. Likewise preferably, each subcomponent has anouter fitting-part intermediate element in each case. The outerfitting-part intermediate element is the fitting-part intermediateelement of a subcomponent, the distance of which from the plane ofsymmetry is at maximum.

The first fitting part and/or the first fitting-part elements and/or thesecond fitting-part elements and/or the second fitting-part intermediateelements and/or the first and second rotating means preferably extend inan essentially planar manner and/or can be produced from a materialextending in a planar manner. As a result, they can be produced usingconventional methods and in short cycle times and from cost-effectivematerial, for example from thin sheets. Owing to their simple contoursand the resultant simpler manufacturing, the fitting parts, fitting-partelements, fitting-part intermediate elements and/or rotating means canbe produced by harder materials, and therefore, in particular, do nothave to be hardened after being processed. The components can thereforebe produced simply, rapidly, cost-effectively and optionally in anautomated manner.

Preferably, the first fitting part and/or the first fitting-partelements preferably bear at least partially against the secondfitting-part elements and/or the second fitting-part intermediateelements, with the second fitting-part elements and/or the secondfitting-part intermediate elements bearing at least partially againstone another and with the first and second rotating means each bearing atleast partially against one another.

The fitting parts, fitting-part elements, fitting-part intermediateelements and rotating means, which bear against one another, can befitted easily and can be connected to one another in a simple manner.For example, they can be welded to one another, preferably by means oflaser welding, such that their strength and/or the strength of theadjusting device is improved, and they cannot be adjusted and/or tiltedin relation to one another.

The essentially planar and parallel arrangement of the fitting parts,fitting-part elements, fitting-part intermediate elements and rotatingmeans with respect to one another means that their surface load-bearingcapacity is very high, since forces which act on components which bearin parallel and in a planar manner against one another are distributedessentially uniformly to the components.

The first fitting part and/or the first fitting-part elements preferablyin each case have a first inter-locking and/or frictional means which isarranged concentrically about the axis of rotation, with the secondfitting-part elements and/or at least one second fitting-partintermediate element in each case having a second interlocking and/orfrictional means which is arranged concentrically about the axis ofrotation, with the first rotating means each having a third interlockingand/or frictional means and the second rotating means each having afourth interlocking and/or frictional means, with the third interlockingand/or frictional means each being at least partially in engagement witha first interlocking and/or frictional means, and the fourthinterlocking and/or frictional means each being at least partially inengagement with a second interlocking and/or frictional means. As aresult, when the axis of rotation is rotated, the rotating means arerotated in such a manner that the third interlocking and/or frictionalmeans roll along the first interlocking and/or frictional means, and thefourth interlocking and/or frictional means roll along the secondinterlocking and/or frictional means.

The rotating body preferably comprises a first and a second slidingmeans, with the first sliding means being arranged concentrically aboutthe eccentric or the first eccentric element and between the firsteccentric element and the first and/or second rotating means of thefirst subcomponent, and with the second sliding means being arrangedconcentrically about the eccentric or the second eccentric element andbetween the first and/or second rotating means of the secondsubcomponent. The sliding means preferably reduces the friction betweenthe eccentric or the eccentric elements and the rotating means andensures uniform concentricity during rotation of the eccentric or of theeccentric elements. A person skilled in the art will understand that thesliding means can be provided both as a separate component and as partof the rotating means. Particularly preferably, that surface of therotating means which interacts with the eccentric elements has asufficiently low degree of friction during rotation of the eccentricelements such that a sliding means does not have to be provided.

The interlocking and/or frictional means are preferably teeth. Teethhave the advantage that they are even in engagement with one anotherwhen they are adjusted slightly with respect to one another, and theycan therefore roll along one another even then.

Furthermore, teeth have the advantage of being able to be adjusteduniformly in relation to one another. In addition, toothings can beproduced using conventional means.

The number of teeth of the third interlocking and/or frictional meanspreferably differs from the number of teeth of the fourth interlockingand/or frictional means. A person skilled in the art will understandthat, in the operating mode, the different number of teeth lead to adisplacement of the first interlocking and/or frictional means relativeto the second interlocking and/or frictional means such that, in theoperating mode, the first fitting part is adjusted relative to thesecond fitting part. The different number of teeth therefore determinesthe transmission ratio with which the fitting parts are adjusted withrespect to each other. In the case of precisely two subcomponents, thedifferent number of teeth determines the transmission ratio of theadjusting device.

In a preferred embodiment, the first rotating means of the first andsecond subcomponents have a first external radius, with the secondrotating means of the first and second subcomponents having a secondexternal radius, and with the first external radius preferably differingfrom the second external radius. As a result, the rotating means withthe larger external radius slides at least partially along a surface,which is essentially parallel to the plane of symmetry, of thefitting-part elements along which the rotating means with the smallerexternal radius roll. The rotating means are nestled in the direction ofthe axis of rotation such that, for example, the play along the axis ofrotation is reduced. There is essentially no wobbling about the axis ofrotation.

By means of the division of the adjusting device into symmetricallyconstructed subcomponents, the forces acting on the adjusting device aredistributed essentially symmetrically to its subcomponents, andtherefore the individual loading is lower. Since they bear at leastpartially against one another, their surface load-bearing capacity islarge. Overall, materials which are less strong can therefore be used.In the case of use of materials extending in an essentially planarmanner, for example sheets which are arranged parallel to one another,the fitting parts, fitting-part elements, fitting-part intermediateelements and/or rotating means have fewer complicated contours, and theycan therefore be produced from harder material and more simply. Ahardening process after production of these components is thereforedispensed with. Owing to the nestled arrangement, there is little playbetween them, and therefore additional components for reducing the playare not required, and the demands imposed on the manufacturingtolerances are less exacting.

The first fitting part or the first fitting-part elements preferablyhave retaining means. The retaining means ensure the relative positionof the second fitting-part elements or of the second fitting-partintermediate elements, such that essentially no inadvertent offset canbe produced between the first fitting part or the first fitting-partelements and the second fitting part or the second fitting-partelements. Furthermore, they increase the rigidity of the adjustingdevice.

A further subject matter of the present invention is a method forproducing an adjusting device according to the invention, wherein therotating means and fitting parts are punched out of a planar materialand are subsequently partially connected to one another, preferably bylaser welding. The first and second rotating means of the subcomponentsare preferably each connected to one another in a rotationally fixedmanner, with the fitting-part intermediate elements of the subcomponentsbeing connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, with thefitting-part elements of the subcomponents optionally being at leastpartially connected to one another or being integral, with thecomponents of the adjusting device being arranged on the axis ofrotation, and with the fitting-part elements and/or at least onefitting-part intermediate element of the two subcomponents arranged onthe outside then being at least partially connected to one another.

The method can be carried out rapidly, simply and at least partially inan automated manner and is therefore cost-effective.

The invention is described below with reference to figures. The figuresare merely by way of example and do not restrict the general object ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of an adjusting device accordingto the invention.

FIG. 2 shows, in illustrations a and b, two cross sections transverselyto the axis of rotation and, in illustration c, a cross section alongthe axis of rotation of the adjusting device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, schematically, the arrangement of the interlocking and/orfrictional means in a cross section parallel to the plane of symmetry ofthe adjusting device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of an adjusting device 9 accordingto the invention. The adjusting device 9 has a first subcomponent 90 anda second sub-component 91, which each comprise a first fitting-partelement 10, 11, a second fitting-part element 20, 21 and an eccentricelement 30, 31, which are arranged essentially parallel to one anotherand on a common axis of rotation 7, with the first subcomponent 90 andsecond subcomponent 91, the first fitting-part elements 10, 11, thesecond fitting-part elements 20, 21 and the eccentric elements 30, 31each being arranged with respect to one another essentiallymirror-symmetrically with regard to a plane of symmetry 77 arranged atright angles to the axis of rotation 7. The adjusting device has a shaft71 which forms the axis of rotation 7. The eccentric element 30 of thefirst subcomponent 90 is the first eccentric element 30 and that of thesecond subcomponent 91 is the second eccentric element 31. The firsteccentric element 30 is rotated with respect to the second eccentricelement 31 essentially by an angle 777 about the axis of rotation 7,with the angle 777 essentially being a fraction of 360° and the divisorcorresponding to the number of subcomponents 90, 91—here namely two—suchthat the angle 777 here is 180°. The first fitting-part elements 10, 11form a first fitting part 1, the second fitting-part elements 20, 21form a second fitting part 2 and the eccentric elements 30, 31 form aneccentric 3, with the eccentric elements 30, 31 being clamped inrelation to each other by a dynamic means 4, for example a spring. Thesecond fitting-part elements 20, 21 each have two second fitting-partintermediate elements 200, 210, 201, 211, with at least one of thefitting-part intermediate elements 201, 211 in each case having a secondinterlocking and/or frictional means 801, 811, here an internaltoothing. The first fitting-part elements 10, 11 have a firstinterlocking and/or frictional means 800, 810, to be precise, likewisean internal toothing. Furthermore, the illustration shows a respectivefirst rotating means 60, 61 and a second rotating means 601, 611 of thefirst and second subcomponents 90, 91, with a respective first andsecond rotating means 60, 601 being arranged concentrically about thefirst eccentric element 30 in the constructed state of the adjustingdevice 9, and a respective first and second rotating means 61, 611 beingarranged concentrically about the second eccentric element 31 and atright angles to the axis of rotation 7 in the constructed state of theadjusting device 9. The first rotating means 60, 61 each have a thirdinterlocking and/or frictional means 820, 822, namely an externaltoothing, and the second rotating means 601, 611 have a fourthinterlocking and/or frictional means 821, 823, likewise an externaltoothing, with the first rotating means 60, 61 having a smaller firstexternal radius 607, 617 in comparison to the second external radius6017, 6117 of the second rotating means 601, 611, and with the third andfourth interlocking and/or frictional means 820, 822, 821, 823 differingin the number of teeth. The external radius 607, 617, 6017, 6117 of arotating means 60, 61, 601, 611 with an external toothing is the largestpossible external radius determined by the teeth and shown using theexample of the first external radius 607 of the first rotating means 60in FIG. 2 b. The external radius 607, 617, 6017, 6117 of a rotatingmeans 60, 61, 601, 611 is also the external radius 607, 617, 6017, 6117of an interlocking and/or frictional means 820, 821, 822, 823 of therotating means 60, 61, 601, 611.

When assembling the adjusting device, first of all the firstfitting-part elements 10, 11, the second fitting-part intermediateelements 20, 21, and the respective first and second rotating means 60,601 of the first and second subcomponents 90, 91 are connected to oneanother, preferably by means of laser welding, and the components of theadjusting device 9 are then arranged in the sequence illustrated. Thesecond fitting-part intermediate elements 201, 211, which bear at leastpartially against the first fitting-part elements 10, 11, are guidedand/or fixed on the first fitting-part elements 10, 11 by means ofretaining means 105. After the components are arranged, the outer,second fitting-part intermediate elements 200, 210 are connected to eachother, likewise preferably by means of laser welding. In the constructedstate, the eccentric elements 30, 31 form a rotating body 900, with afirst sliding means 50 being arranged between the first eccentricelement 30 and the first and/or second rotating means 60, 601 of thefirst subcomponent 90, and a second sliding means 51 being arrangedbetween the second eccentric element 31 and the first and/or secondrotating means 61, 611 of the second subcomponent 91.

In the operating state, the axis of rotation 7 rotates such that therotating body 900 is rotated concentrically about the axis of rotation7, with the third interlocking and/or frictional means 820 of the firstrotating means 60 rolling along the first interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 800 of the first fitting-part element 10 of the first subcomponent90, and the third interlocking and/or frictional means of the firstrotating means 61 rolling along the first interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 810 of the first fitting-part element 11 of the secondsubcomponent 91, and with the fourth interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 821 of the second rotating means 601 rolling along the secondinterlocking and/or frictional means 801 of the second fitting-partintermediate element 201 of the first subcomponent 90, and the fourthinterlocking and/or frictional means 823 of the second rotating means611 rolling along the second interlocking and/or frictional means 811 ofthe second fitting-part intermediate element 211 of the secondsubcomponent 91. The second fitting-part intermediate element 201, 211,along the second interlocking and/or frictional means 801, 811 of whichthe fourth interlocking and/or frictional means 821, 823 of the secondrotating means 601, 611 roll, bear at least partially against the firstfitting-part elements 10, 11. Owing to the different number of teeth, inthe process the first fitting part 1 is rotated relative to the secondfitting part 2.

FIG. 2 shows, in illustrations a and b, two cross sections transverse tothe axis of rotation 7 and, in illustration c, a cross section along theaxis of rotation 7 of the adjusting device 9 from FIG. 1. Illustrationsa and b show both cross sections through the first subcomponent 90 ofthe adjusting device 9. The following details therefore applyanalogously to the second subcomponent 91. In illustration a, the firsteccentric element 30, about which the first sliding means 50 is arrangedconcentrically, about which the second rotating means 601 is arrangedagain concentrically, is visible. The second rotating means 601 has thefourth interlocking and/or frictional means 821 which bears at leastpartially against the second fitting-part intermediate element 201which, in the constructed state, bears at least partially against thefirst fitting-part element 10. The second fitting-part intermediateelement 201 has the second interlocking and/or frictional means 801which is at least partially in engagement with the fourth interlockingand/or frictional means 821 of the second rotating means 601. Theretaining means 105 of the first fitting-part element 10 are alsovisible. In addition, the outer fitting-part intermediate element 200,which, in the constructed state, is welded to the second fitting-partintermediate element 201, which bears against the first fitting-partelement 10, is at least partially visible. Furthermore, the dynamicmeans 4, which clamps the first and the second eccentric elements 30, 31in relation to each other, is at least partially visible. The axis ofrotation 7 is indicated by a cross. The first eccentric element 30, thefirst sliding means 50 and the second rotating means 601 are arrangedconcentrically about the first center point 7007 of the first eccentricelement 30 and eccentrically about the axis of rotation 7, the distanceof the first center point 7007 of the first eccentric element 30 fromthe axis of rotation 7 being the eccentricity E of the first eccentricelement 30. The illustration furthermore shows a plan view of the centeraxis 707 which connects the first center point 7007 of the firsteccentric element 30 to the second center point 7008 of the secondeccentric element 31. In contrast to illustration a, illustration bshows the first fitting-part element 10 with the first interlockingand/or frictional means 800, and the first rotating means 60 with thethird interlocking and/or frictional means 820 which is at leastpartially in engagement with the first interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 800. The first rotating means 60 is arranged concentrically aboutthe first eccentric element 30.

Illustration c shows the adjusting device of FIG. 1 in the constructedstate in a cross section along the axis of rotation 7. The illustrationshows the second fitting-part intermediate elements 201, 200, 210, 211,with a respective outer fitting-part intermediate element 201, 211 and afitting-part intermediate element 200, 210, which bears at leastpartially against a first fitting-part element 10, 11 of the samesubcomponent 90, 91 and which is also welded here to the outerfitting-part intermediate element 201, 211 of the same subcomponent 90,91, forming a second fitting-part element 20, 21. The two secondfitting-part elements 20, 21 form the second fitting part 2. The secondfitting-part elements 20, 21 bear at least partially against each otherand are welded to each other. Furthermore, illustration c shows the twofirst fitting-part elements 10, 11 which form a first fitting part 1,bear at least partially against each other and are welded to each other.The first eccentric element 30 and the second eccentric element 31,which together form the eccentric 3 and are clamped in relation to eachother by the dynamic means 4, here a spring, are arranged about the axisof rotation 7. Concentrically about the first eccentric element 30, thefirst and the second rotating means 60, 601 of the first subcomponent 90are arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation 7, with the firstsliding means 50 being arranged between the first eccentric element 30and its first and/or second rotating means 60, 601. Concentrically aboutthe second eccentric element 31, the first and the second rotating means61, 611 of the second sub-component 91 are arranged at right angles tothe axis of rotation 7, with the second sliding means 51 being arrangedbetween the second eccentric element 31 and its first and/or secondrotating means 61, 611. The first and second rotating means 60, 601, 61,611 of one of the subcomponents 90, 91 are preferably each welded to oneanother. The first external radius 607, 617 of the first rotating means60, 61, and the second external radius 6017, 6117 of the second rotatingmeans 601, 611 are in each case identical while the first externalradius 607, 617 and the second external radius 6017, 6117 differ. Sincethe first and second eccentric elements 30, 31 are offsetmirror-symmetrically to the plane of symmetry 77, which is shown in FIG.1, and by 180° with respect to each other about the axis of rotation 7,the rotating means 601, 611 with the larger external radius 6017, 6117slide at least partially along a surface, which is essentially parallelto the plane of symmetry 77, of the fitting-part elements 10, 11 alongwhich the rotating means 60, 61 with the smaller external radius 607,617 roll. In the embodiment shown, the second rotating means 601, 611have the larger second external radius 6017, 6117. As a result and sincethe eccentric elements 30, 31 each have an eccentricity E with respectto the axis of rotation 7 and are offset by 180° with respect to eachother and with respect to the axis of rotation 7, a nestled arrangementof the rotating means 601, 60, 61, 611 arises, in which the firstrotating means 60, 61 with the smaller first external radius 607, 617are adjacent and are displaced with respect to each other in thedirection of the center axis 707 by the amount of twice the eccentricityE. The second rotating means 601, 611 each bear against the firstrotating means 60, 61 of the same subcomponent 90, 91, and the secondrotating means 601 of the first subcomponent 90 is displaced withrespect to the second rotating means 611 of the second subcomponent 91in the direction of the center axis 707 by the amount of twice theeccentricity E.

FIG. 3 shows, schematically, the arrangement of the interlocking and/orfrictional means 800, 810, 801, 811, 820, 822, 821, 823 in a crosssection parallel to the plane of symmetry 77 of the adjusting device 9of FIG. 1. The figure shows the second fitting-part intermediate element201, which bears at least partially against the first fitting-partelement 10, and, at least partially, the first fitting-part element 10of the first subcomponent 90 and the rotating body 900. The arrangement,however, applies analogously to the second fitting-part intermediateelement 211 and the first fitting-part element 11 of the secondsub-component 91. The rotating body 900 is formed from the firsteccentric element 30 and the second eccentric element 31, with arespective first and second rotating means 60, 601, 61, 611 beingarranged concentrically about the first and second eccentric elements30, 31. The first, second, third and fourth interlocking and/orfrictional means 800, 810, 801, 811, 820, 822, 821, 823 are eachindicated by a circle. In the operating mode, the third interlockingand/or frictional means 820 of the first rotating means 60 of the firstsubcomponent 90 rolls along the first interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 800 of the first fitting-part element 10 of the first subcomponent90. In the operating mode, the fourth interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 821 of the second rotating means 601 of the second subcomponent 90rolls along the second interlocking and/or frictional means 801 of theat least one second fitting-part intermediate element 201 of the firstsubcomponent 91. In the operating mode, the third interlocking and/orfrictional means 822 of the first rotating means 61 of the secondsubcomponent 91 rolls along the first interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 810 of the first fitting-part element 11—the position of which isshown here in parentheses for clarification purposes—of the secondsubcomponent 91. In the operating mode, the fourth interlocking and/orfrictional means 823 of the second rotating means 611 of the secondsub-component 91 rolls along the second interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 811 of the at least one second fitting-part intermediate element211—the position of which is shown in parentheses here for clarificationpurposes—of the second subcomponent 91.

The first external radius 607, 617 of the first rotating means 60, 61 issmaller than the second external radius 6017, 6117 of the secondrotating means 601, 611. Accordingly, the first fitting-part elements10, 11 have a first interlocking and/or frictional means 800, 810, thefirst internal radius 8007 of which differs from the second internalradius 8008 of the second interlocking and/or frictional means 801, 811of the second fitting part elements 20, 21. The internal radius 8007,8008 of an internally toothed interlocking and/or frictional means 800,810, 801, 811 is the largest possible internal radius determined by theteeth and is also clarified in FIG. 2 b using the example of the firstinternal radius 8007 of the first interlocking and/or frictional means800 of the first fitting-part element 10 of the first subcomponent 90.The internal radius 8007, 8008 of an interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 800, 810, 801, 811 of a fitting-part element 10, 11, 20, 21 isalso the internal radius 8007, 8008 of the fitting-part element 10, 11,20, 21. The internal radius 8007 of the interlocking and/or frictionalmeans 800, 810, which are at least partially in engagement with theinterlocking and/or frictional means 820, 822 of the first rotatingmeans 60, 61 with the smaller, first external radius 607, 617, ispreferably smaller than the internal radius 8008 of the interlockingand/or frictional means 801, 811, which are in engagement with theinterlocking and/or frictional means 821, 823 of the second rotatingmeans 601, 611 with the larger, second external radius 6017, 6117.

The illustration shows a plan view of the center axis 707 which connectsthe first center point 7007 of the first eccentric element 30 to thesecond center point 7008 of the second eccentric element 31 andessentially intersects the axis of rotation 7 and clarifies the angle777 of 180° about which the eccentric elements 30, 31 are offset withrespect to each other about the axis of rotation 7.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

-   1 First fitting part-   10, 11 First fitting-part element-   105 Retaining means-   2 Second fitting part-   20, 21 Second fitting-part element-   200, 201, 210, 211 Second fitting-part intermediate element-   3 Eccentric-   30 First eccentric element-   31 Second eccentric element-   4 Dynamic means-   50 First sliding means-   51 Second sliding means-   60 First rotating means of the first subcomponent-   601 Second rotating means of the first subcomponent-   607, 617 First external radius-   61 First rotating means of the second subcomponent-   611 Second rotating means of the second subcomponent-   6017, 6117 Second external radius-   7 Axis of rotation-   71 Shaft-   77 Plane of symmetry-   707 Center axis-   777 Angle-   7007 First center point of the first eccentric element-   7008 Second center point of the second eccentric element-   800, 810 First interlocking and/or frictional means-   801, 811 Second interlocking and/or frictional means-   820, 822 Third interlocking and/or frictional means-   821, 823 Fourth interlocking and/or frictional means-   8007 First internal radius of the first interlocking and/or    frictional means-   8008 Second internal radius of the second interlocking and/or    frictional means-   9 Adjusting device-   90 First subcomponent-   91 Second subcomponent-   900 Rotating body-   E Eccentricity of the eccentric elements

1. An adjusting device for a vehicle component the adjusting devicecomprising: a first fitting part arranged on an axis of rotation; asecond fitting part arranged on the axis of rotation, the relativeposition of the first fitting part and the second fitting part withrespect to each other being adjustable; an eccentric arranged on androtatable about the axis of rotation; a plurality of first rotatingmembers arranged concentrically about the eccentric, the first rotatingmembers are configured to roll along the first fitting part; and aplurality of subcomponents that each include a first fitting-partelement of the first fitting part and a second fitting-part element ofthe second fitting part, wherein the plurality of subcomponents arearranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetrythat extends at right angles to the axis of rotation.
 2. The adjustingdevice of claim 1 wherein the first fitting-part elements are eachdesigned as a single part and the first rotating members are eachdesigned as separate parts.
 3. The adjusting device of claim 1 whereinthe first rotating members are configured to roll along the secondfitting part.
 4. The adjusting device of claim 1 wherein the eccentricincludes a first eccentric element and at least one second eccentricelement, each eccentric element being respectively assigned to asubcomponent.
 5. The adjusting device of claim 4 wherein the firsteccentric element and the at least one second eccentric element arearranged so that they bear against each other on the axis of rotation.6. The adjusting device of claim 4 wherein the first eccentric elementand the at least one second eccentric element are angularly offset withrespect to each other by an angle about the axis of rotation, the anglebeing equal to 360° divided by the corresponding number ofsubcomponents.
 7. The adjusting device of claim 4 wherein the firsteccentric element and the at least one second eccentric element areclamped in relation to each other by a biasing member.
 8. The adjustingdevice of claim 7 wherein a center axis running through a first centerpoint of the first eccentric element and a second center point of the atleast one second eccentric element intersects the axis of rotation. 9.The adjusting device of claim 8 wherein the first eccentric element andthe at least one second eccentric element together with the biasingmember form a rotating body, and wherein in an operating mode, the firstfitting part is configured to be adjusted relative to the second fittingpart by the rotating body revolving substantially concentrically aboutthe axis of rotation.
 10. The adjusting device of claim 1 wherein eachsubcomponent has a second rotating member arranged concentrically aboutthe eccentric, the second rotating members being rollable along thesecond fitting-part element of the same subcomponent.
 11. The adjustingdevice of claim 10 wherein the first rotating members and the secondrotating members are arranged at right angles to the axis of rotation,the first rotating members each being rollable along each firstfitting-part element and the second rotating members each being rollablealong each second fitting-part element of the same subcomponent.
 12. Theadjusting device of claim 1 further comprising a shaft defining the axisof rotation.
 13. The adjusting device of claim 10 wherein the secondfitting-part elements each have a plurality of second fitting-partintermediate elements are arranged substantially parallel to oneanother.
 14. The adjusting device of claim 1 wherein the firstfitting-part elements, the second fitting-part elements and the firstrotating members extend in substantially planar manner and are producedfrom a material extending in a planar manner.
 15. The adjusting deviceof claim 13 wherein the second fitting-part intermediate elements thesecond rotating members extend in substantially planar manner and areproduced from a material extending in a planar manner.
 16. The adjustingdevice of claim 13 wherein the first-fitting part elements each have afirst frictional means members arranged concentrically about the axis ofrotation, wherein the second fitting-part elements have a secondfrictional member arranged concentrically about the axis of rotation,wherein the first rotating members each have a third frictional member,and wherein the third frictional members are each at least partially inengagement with the respective first frictional members and therespective second frictional members.
 17. The adjusting device of claim16 wherein the second rotating members each have a fourth frictionalmembers, the fourth frictional members each being at least partially inengagement with the respective second frictional members.
 18. Theadjusting device of claim 17 wherein the second fitting-partintermediate elements each have the second frictional members.
 19. Theadjusting device of claim 17 wherein the first, second, third and fourthfrictional members include teeth.
 20. The adjusting device of claim 19wherein the number of teeth of the third frictional member differs fromthe number of teeth of the fourth frictional member.
 21. The adjustingdevice of claim 10 wherein the first rotating members have a firstexternal radius, wherein the second rotating members have a secondexternal radius, and wherein the first external radius differs from thesecond external radius.
 22. The adjusting device of claim 1 wherein thefirst fitting-part elements have retaining members.
 23. A method forproducing an adjusting device having a first fitting part adjustablerelative to a second fitting part about an axis of rotation, a firstrotating member configured to roll along of the first fitting part andthe second fitting part for adjusting the first fitting part relative tothe second fitting part, and a plurality of subcomponents having firstfitting-part elements of the first fitting part and second fitting-partelements of the second fitting part, the plurality of subcomponentsbeing arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically with respect to aplane of symmetry that extends at right angles to the axis of rotation,the method comprising the steps of: forming the first rotating member,the first fitting-part elements and the second fitting-part elements outof a substantially planar material; and at least partially connectingthe first rotating members, the first fitting-part elements and thesecond fitting-part elements to one another.
 24. The method of claim 23further comprising the step of: forming fitting-part intermediateelements and second rotating members out of a substantially planarmaterial; and at least partially connecting the fitting-partintermediate elements and the second rotating members by laser welding,wherein the each fitting-part element includes the fitting-partintermediate elements, and wherein each subcomponent includes the secondrotating member.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the stepsof: connecting the first and second rotating members of thesubcomponents to one another in a rotationally fixed manner; connectingthe fitting-part intermediate elements of the subcomponents to oneanother in a rotationally fixed manner; and connecting the firstfitting-part elements of the subcomponents to each other; arranging thecomponents of the adjusting device on the axis of rotation; andconnecting in that the second fitting-part elements and at least onefitting-part intermediate element of the two subcomponents arranged onthe outside.
 26. A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat, the reclinermechanism comprising: a first subcomponent supported by a shaft, thefirst subcomponent having a first fitting-part, a second fitting-part, afirst eccentric element and first and second rotating members, the firstand second rotating members being arranged concentrically with the firsteccentric element; and a second subcomponent supported by the shaft, thesecond subcomponent having a first fitting-part, a second fitting-part,a second eccentric element and first and second rotating members, thefirst and second rotating members being arranged concentrically with thesecond eccentric element; and wherein the first and second subcomponentsare arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a planeof symmetry that extends at a right angle to an axis of rotation of theshaft.
 27. The recliner mechanism of claim 26 wherein the firsteccentric element and the second eccentric element are supported inadjacent parallel planes.
 28. The recliner mechanism of claim 27 whereinthe first eccentric element is angularly offset from the secondeccentric element by an angle of approximately 180° about the shaft. 29.The recliner mechanism of claim 28 wherein the position of the firsteccentric element relative to the second eccentric element is regulatedby a biasing member.
 30. The recliner mechanism of claim 29 wherein thebiasing member is a spring.